US EPA Proposes Smog
Standards to Safeguard Americans from Air Pollution
WASHINGTON-- Based on extensive
recent scientific evidence about the harmful effects of ground-level ozone, or
smog, EPA is proposing to strengthen air quality standards to within a range of
65 to 70 parts per billion (ppb) to better protect Americans’ health and the environment,
while taking comment on a level as low as 60 ppb. The Clean Air Act requires
EPA to review the standards every five years by following a set of open,
transparent steps and considering the advice of a panel of independent experts.
EPA last updated these standards in 2008, setting them at 75 ppb.
"Bringing ozone
pollution standards in line with the latest science will clean up our air,
improve access to crucial air quality information, and protect those most
at-risk. It empowers the American people with updated air quality information
to protect our loved ones - because whether we work or play outdoors – we
deserve to know the air we breathe is safe,” said EPA Administrator Gina
McCarthy. “Fulfilling the promise of the Clean Air Act has always been EPA’s
responsibility. Our health protections have endured because they’re engineered
to evolve, so that’s why we’re using the latest science to update air quality
standards – to fulfill the law’s promise, and defend each and every person’s
right to clean air.”
EPA scientists examined numerous
scientific studies in its most recent review of the ozone standards, including
more than 1,000 new studies published since the last update. Studies
indicate that exposure to ozone at levels below 75 ppb -- the level of the
current standard -- can pose serious threats to public health, harm the
respiratory system, cause or aggravate asthma and other lung diseases, and is
linked to premature death from respiratory and cardiovascular causes.
Ground-level ozone forms in the atmosphere when emissions of nitrogen oxides
and volatile organic compounds “cook” in the sun from sources like cars,
trucks, buses, industries, power plants and certain fumes from fuels, solvents
and paints. People most at risk from breathing air containing ozone include
people with asthma, children, older adults, and those who are active or work
outside. Stronger ozone standards will also provide an added measure of
protection for low income and minority families who are more likely to suffer
from asthma or to live in communities that are overburdened by pollution. Nationally, 1 in 10 children has been diagnosed with
asthma.
According to EPA’s
analysis, strengthening the standard to a range of 65 to 70 ppb will provide
significantly better protection for children, preventing from 320,000 to 960,000 asthma attacks and from 330,000 to 1
million missed school days. Strengthening the standard to a range of 70 to 65
ppb would better protect both children and adults by preventing more than 750 to 4,300 premature deaths; 1,400
to 4,300 asthma-related emergency room visits; and 65,000 to 180,000 missed workdays.
EPA estimates that
the benefits of meeting the proposed standards will significantly outweigh the
costs. If the standards are finalized, every dollar we invest to meet
them will return up to three dollars in health benefits. These large health
benefits will be gained from avoiding asthma attacks, heart attacks, missed
school days and premature deaths, among other health effects valued at $6.4 to $13
billion annually in 2025 for a standard of 70 ppb, and $19 to $38 billion
annually in 2025 for a standard of 65 ppb. Annual costs are estimated at
$3.9 billion in 2025 for a standard of 70 ppb, and $15 billion for a standard
at 65 ppb.
A combination of
recently finalized or proposed air pollution rules – including “Tier 3” clean
vehicle and fuels standards – will significantly cut smog-forming emissions
from industry and transportation, helping states meet the proposed
standards. EPA’s analysis of federal programs that reduce air pollution
from fuels, vehicles and engines of all sizes, power plants and other
industries shows that the vast majority of U.S. counties with monitors would
meet the more protective standards by 2025 just with the rules and programs now
in place or underway. Local communities, states, and the federal government
have made substantial progress in reducing ground-level ozone. Nationally, from
1980 to 2013, average ozone levels have fallen 33 percent. EPA projects that
this progress will continue.
The Clean Air Act
provides states with time to meet the standards. Depending on the severity of
their ozone problem, areas would have between 2020 and 2037 to meet the
standards. To ensure that people are alerted when ozone reaches unhealthy
levels, EPA is proposing to extend the ozone monitoring season for 33 states.
This is particularly important for at-risk groups, including children and
people with asthma because it will provide information so families can take
steps to protect their health on smoggy days.
The agency is also
proposing to strengthen the “secondary” ozone standard to a level within 65 to
70 ppb to protect plants, trees and ecosystems from damaging levels of
ground-level ozone. New studies add to the evidence showing that repeated
exposure to ozone stunts the growth of trees, damages plants, and reduces crop
yield. The proposed level corresponds to levels of seasonal ozone
exposure scientists have determined would be more protective.
EPA will seek public
comment on the proposal for 90 days following publication in the Federal
Register, and the agency plans to hold three public hearings. EPA will issue
final ozone standards by October 1,
2015.
To view the
proposal: http://www.epa.gov/glo/